Minnesota isn’t exactly known for its rock formations. There are no towering peaks, mysterious buttes, or mile-deep caves here. But there are still physical features that, while they aren’t quite as majestic as those out west, still inspire awe. One is an enormous mine known by some as the Grand Canyon of the North. Hull-Rust-Mahoning Mine is a spectacular sight every season of the year – even in winter when its red rocks and dirt are covered by a blanket of white. You’ll want to get your best hiking gear ready for this trek. Here’s what you can expect when you visit:

Hull-Rust-Mahoning Mine is an enormous open-pit mine in Hibbing, Minnesota. First opened in 1895, it is now the largest open-pit mine in Minnesota.
Lauri Barber/Google
For more than a century, the mine has been an important source of iron ore. It has grown to stretch 3 miles long and 5 miles wide.
Andrew Yannarelly/Google
The mine is located in the city of Hibbing and the tourist center and senior center are located near the viewing area for the mine.
The enormous mine is 535 feet deep, with cliffs and waterways that make it resemble the Grand Canyon. It's a truly spectacular sight that you will not find anywhere else in Minnesota.
Jill Schlueter/Google
It's a stunning site to behold, a real opportunity to bask in the natural beauty that Minnesota has to offer.

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Though the mine is still in operation today, the city of Hibbing has added an observation platform. Open during the warmer months, it's a great way to take in the transformed landscape. In the summertime, the greenery against the red rock is truly beautiful.
Iron Range Tourism Bureau/Facebook
It's also fascinating to watch the daily workflow of the mine and understand how that process works.
Winter brings a different view. Covered in snow, the vast canyon almost looks like something from another planet.
Nick Wackerhagen/Google
You'll swear you've been transported into a Star Wars landscape.
The snow-capped hills and cliffs make the mine look like it has always been here. There is little hint of the mining operations still happening in the mine.
Pammela Evers-Hansen/Google
Next time you're near Hibbing, join the 25,000 annual visitors in catching a glimpse of this incredible Grand Canyon of the North. Whether you go in winter or summer, it's an awe-inspiring experience.
Nick Wackerhagen/Google
Hibbing also offers a few other attractions like the Hibbing Historical Society Museum and the Greyhound Bus Museum to round out your trip.

Have you ever visited Hull-Rust-Mahoning Mine? What did you think of Minnesota’s Grand Canyon of the North? Let us know in the comments below! We love to hear your firsthand accounts of these unique experiences.

And if you’re more interested in natural rock formations, check out our article about some of the oldest rocks in the world, found right here in Minnesota.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Nature In Minnesota

CC | December 01, 2023

Where can I visit nature preserves in Minnesota?

If this mine just isn’t enough time in the natural world, there’s plenty more to see in the state. Check out these natural sites in Minnesota.

  • Gooseberry Falls
  • Niagara Cave
  • Artists’s Point
  • Devil’s Kettle
  • Croix River Dalles
  • BWCA
  • Pigeon River High Falls
  • Blue Mounds State Park
  • Palisade Head
  • Eagle Mountain

 

Where can I visit state parks in Minnesota? 

There’s so much opportunity to connect with nature in Minnesota. After visiting the mine, visit, and perhaps consider camping at, these state parks in Minnesota. They’re beautiful spaces in their own right, but many of these parks also offer year round camping so you can enjoy the natural beauty here in any and all seasons of the year. The experience is different every time.

  • Bear Head Lake State Park - Ely
  • William O'Brien State Park - Marine on St. Croix
  • Minneopa State Park - Mankato
  • Myre-Big Island State Park - Albert Lea
  • Itasca State Park - Park Rapids
  • Afton State Park - Hastings
  • Lake Bemidji State Park - Bemidji
  • Split Rock Lighthouse State Park - Two Harbors
  • Whitewater State Park - Altura

 

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